Duties of Council Officers

Grand Knight

The Grand Knight is responsible for the welfare of the council. He presides over council meetings, acts as an ex-officio member of all committees, appoints a membership and programming director, convenes officers for a monthly meeting, and ensures all necessary reports are submitted to the state and Supreme Council. He should also be aware of the council’s financial status and ensure that his signature appears on all checks drawn. For more specific duties and responsibilities, refer to the Grand Knight’s Handbook (#915).

Chaplain

The priest chosen to serve as chaplain of the council will primarily act as spiritual advisor to the brother Knights and families of the Council. He is expected to make a report at the Council meetings. The chaplain’s report consists of any business matters relative to his office and may include a brief talk by him on any religious matters. The Chaplain should also serve as an advisor to the Officers and the Church activities director and members of that committee.

Deputy Grand Knight

The Deputy Grand Knight is second in command. He assists the Grand Knight with council affairs and fulfills all duties assigned to him by the Grand Knight. Should the Grand Knight be absent from a council meeting, the Deputy Grand Knight will preside. He is chairman of the council’s retention committee.

Chancellor

The Chancellor has a variety of responsibilities. Primarily, he assists the Grand Knight and the Deputy Grand Knight in the execution of their duties and oversees the council in both their absences. He is charged with strengthening the members’ interests in council activities. The Chancellor is chairman of the admission committee.

Recorder

The Recorder is similar to a court reporter or a secretary. He is responsible for maintaining a true record of all actions of the council and it’s correspondence.

Financial Secretary

The Financial Secretary is appointed by the Supreme Knight, upon recommendation of the council. His main area of responsibilities is maintaining all financial and membership records. He collects and receives all moneys from all sources, including annual dues from council members. He also handles supply orders for the council officers and members, filing the Report of Officer (#185), and submitting all membership transactions to the Supreme Council. For more specific duties and responsibilities,refer to the Financial Secretary Handbook (#1410).

Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping and maintaining records of all council funds and accounts. He is responsible for depositing money into the council’s accounts and provides a certificate of such monies to the Grand Knight. He is also responsible for payment of all expenses.

Advocate

The Advocate is the legal representative of the council and serves as the council’s attorney at trials and investigations of any interest to the council. While he does not need to be a member of the legal profession, he should be familiar with the council by-laws, the Order’s Charter, Constitution and Laws (#30), Methods of Conducting a Council Meeting (#1937), and Robert’s Rules of Order.

Warden

The Warden is the ‘watchdog’ for council property and degree paraphernalia, except the property of the Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and Recorder. He is also responsible for setting up the council chambers for meetings and ceremonial work. During ceremonial exemplifications, he will appoint and supervise guards.

Inside & Outside Guards

The Guards have similar responsibilities, but distinct differences. The Outside Guard tends to the outer door admitting visitors and members to the inner door. Once at the inner door, the Inside Guard checks to make sure that their membership cards are current.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees consists of three members elected by the council and the Grand Knight, who serves as chairman of the board. They oversee the work of the financial Secretary and Treasurer, and with the Deputy Grand Knight serve on the council’s Retention Committee. During council elections, only the three-year trustee is voted on, with the others moving on to become two and one-year trustees, respectively.

Lecturer

The Lecturer is appointed to his position by the Grand Knight to provide suitable educational and entertaining programs for the Members. His duties are to provide or arrange for periodic presentations to the membership on topics on interest to the membership. Such presentations typically precede or follow the Member Meetings but may be separately scheduled based on subject matter and Member interest.

Columbian Club Board

The Columbian Club of Batavia, Inc. is an independent corporation which owns and operates the property and building in which the Council conducts its meetings and events. All Officers of the Board of Directors are Members of the Knights of Columbus, Council 2191 and are responsible for Columbian Club operations. Board members are elected on a rotating basis at an annual election held in October. All members of Council 2191 are eligible for positions on the board. The President and Vice President are elected by the Members of the Board. Each Board Member has specific duties in respect to Club operations. The currently serving Grand Knight is, by virtue of his position, an appointed Member of the Board.